Why Try Specialty Coffee?

June 20, 2025

Even If It Doesn’t Taste Like “Coffee” or Seems Too Expensive

If you’ve ever tried a cup of specialty coffee and thought,
"This doesn’t taste like coffee..."
Or looked at the price and quietly put it back on the shelf —
You’re not the only one.

It’s a common reaction, especially for those of us who are used to the bold, familiar taste of supermarket coffee or the comfort of our go-to café flat white.

So, is specialty coffee worth trying?
Even if you’re not a coffee expert, or you're happy with your current morning routine?

At CaffTail Coffee, we believe the answer is yes — and here’s why.

1. It Doesn’t Taste Like “Coffee” — and That’s the Beauty of It

Most of us grew up thinking coffee should taste strong, dark, maybe even a bit bitter. That’s because mass-market beans are often roasted very dark to cover inconsistencies or defects — giving us that classic “coffee” flavor.

But coffee is actually a fruit.
And when carefully grown, processed, and roasted, it can take on beautiful natural notes like:

Citrus
Red berries
Floral aromas
Caramel or honey
Roasted nuts

So yes — specialty coffee might surprise you.
It’s not meant to mimic what you're used to. It’s meant to show you what coffee can taste like when quality is prioritized.

Curious what it’s like? Our Panama Geisha is a perfect place to start — delicately floral, with melon sweetness and a creamy nutty finish.

2. “Is Specialty Coffee Too Expensive?” Let’s Break It Down

We hear this a lot.
Yes, specialty coffee costs more than a supermarket blend — but it’s not just about the price per bag. It’s about the value in every cup.

Let’s say you buy a 200g bag of CaffTail Coffee for around $18.
That’s about 10–12 cups of coffee, made at home.

✔ That’s just $1.50–$2.00 per cup
✔ You get fresh, ethically sourced beans
✔ You support small-batch roasting in New Zealand
✔ And you actually taste where your coffee comes from

When you compare that to your $6 takeaway coffee or a rushed instant cup, the value becomes clearer.

3. You Don’t Need to Be a Coffee Expert

Specialty coffee isn’t only for baristas or flavor pros.
It’s for anyone who:

Cares about what they consume
Enjoys discovering new flavors
Likes the idea of slowing down and savoring the moment

If you like good food, handmade chocolate, or small-batch anything — you already get what specialty coffee is about.

And at CaffTail, we make it super easy to explore:

☕ Try our “Purrk Up” blend — bold and smooth, perfect for flat whites and busy mornings
☕ Not ready to commit? Our drip bags are affordable, portable, and equipment-free

4. You Don’t Have to Switch — Just Try Something New

Specialty coffee isn’t here to replace your regular cup — it’s here to add to it.

Think of it like trying a new type of chocolate or a different kind of bread.
You might go back to your favorite — or you might discover something you didn’t know you’d love.

For many of our customers, their first specialty cup was a moment of,
"Wait — I didn’t know coffee could taste like this."

Sometimes it’s not about chasing flavor notes or geeking out over origins.
It’s just about having something real, fresh, and crafted with care.

Why CaffTail?

At CaffTail Coffee, we roast fresh, small-batch specialty beans right here in New Zealand.
We focus on accessibility — no pretentious jargon, no complicated tools required.

We believe: